By Heidi Trautmann
Symbolic shapes as manifestations of ties to the past - boats, fish, waves, nettings, yarn - this is Emel Samioğlu’s handwriting in her art work throughout the years, her signature. She ties the past to the present, her past as the descendant of a seafaring folk from Crete and knits a net of memories as she goes along in her research of personal experiences and findings in art.
“Buluntular” is her recent exhibition at the Sacakli Ev/Eaved House in Nicosia from 29 March until 12 April 2011. The President of the TRNC, H.E. Dr. Derviş Eroğlu opened the exhibition to a considerable number of distinguished guests and was consequently shown by Emel Samioğlu herself the impressive art work she has done between 2007 and 2011.
Emel became fascinated by the idea of using the methods of paper art, natural material and paper pulp mounted on different bases; one presentation I found very intriguing, a series of equally sized linen bases with handmade paper installations, again with the ever occurring shapes of symbolic boats and waves, paper pulp formed into sections of the wavy sea, the voyage of her family coming to Cyprus, a voyage in segments, each telling a different story.
The centre piece of the room was an illuminated installation over an entire wall of handmade paper collages on corrugated bases attached to each other by threads to remind that happenings in life are always a conclusion of what was before.
Other ‘buluntular’ were stories told of the imprints past makes upon the present, woven collages using paper thread, muslin, in one the leather belt of her grandfather, and giving every knot made within the net a different meaning.
The exhibition falls into the time frame of the IAPMA Conference held at the Near East University and will be part of the programme shown to the guests. The exhibition can be viewed at office hours from 9:00 to 17:00 hrs including Saturday.
Emel Samioğlu especially wanted to express her thanks to Baki Boğaç who had advised and helped her to set up the exhibition.